Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Michigan
Senior Product Development Manager jobs in Michigan are in strong demand, with the state's deep manufacturing heritage and growing tech sector driving consistent openings in automotive product development, industrial goods, and consumer electronics. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by major employers such as Ford, General Motors, and Whirlpool. The most sought-after specializations in Michigan include new product introduction, cross-functional program leadership, and stage-gate process management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are seeking an experienced Senior Product Development Engineer to lead the development and launch of advanced cold forging and metal forming solutions serving the automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. This role is critical to driving new product and process development, supporting customer programs, and delivering robust, cost-effective manufacturing solutions from concept through production.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with a proven track record in metal forming, manufacturing process development, and new program launches. This individual will work closely with customers, tooling suppliers, production teams, and quality personnel to develop, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes. Success in this role requires a strong technical foundation combined with practical shop-floor experience, including process troubleshooting, tooling development, prototype builds, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The successful candidate will be comfortable working both in the engineering office and on the manufacturing floor, taking an active role in trial planning, press and tooling development, root cause analysis, production problem-solving, and launch support. Strong project management skills, a results-driven mindset, and the ability to transform product concepts into repeatable, high-volume manufacturing processes are essential to success in this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design, and development of tooling using 3D CAD and cold forge simulation software.
- Collaborate with OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and internal teams to align product design with manufacturing capability and cost targets.
- Manage prototype builds, trials, and assist with production launches, ensuring smooth transition from development to full-scale production.
- Drive process improvements through Lean and Six Sigma practices.
- Evaluate and implement new materials and forming technologies to enhance product performance and manufacturing efficiency.
- Support customer presentations, technical reviews, and product demonstrations.
- Oversee assigned engineering projects to meet cost, quality, and schedule objectives.
- Participate in product teams to provide technical guidance and insight for continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leverage CNC metal processing knowledge to support prototype development, tooling design and process cost optimization.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering or equivalent experience
- 5–10 years of experience in product design and development, ideally in cold forging, stamping, extrusion, or metal forming.
- Experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software required.
- Experience with metal forming simulation software is preferred.
- Strong project management and problem-solving skills. Technical & Leadership Skills
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver innovative solutions.
- Knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
- Knowledge of CNC metal cutting/processing preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to pass pre-employment screening (background check, drug test, etc.).
- Commitment to company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
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Find JobsSenior Product Development Manager Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Product Development Manager Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Transportation & Logistics
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior product development manager jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related technical field required
- Seven or more years of product development or product management experience
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams through full product lifecycle
- Proficiency with stage-gate or agile product development frameworks
- Experience collaborating with manufacturing, supply chain, and engineering partners
- Strong background in new product introduction processes within regulated or industrial environments
Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior product development manager in Michigan?
Most senior product development managers in Michigan reach the role by combining a bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial design, or business with progressive product or program management experience. Michigan employers, particularly in automotive and consumer goods, typically expect candidates to have led at least one full product launch cycle. Professional certifications such as PMP or PDMA's NPDP credential strengthen a candidacy, though no state-issued license is required to work in this role.
Which companies hire senior product development managers in Michigan?
Employers hiring senior product development managers in Michigan right now include Amway, Molex, and Timken, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Michigan's concentration of automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and consumer goods manufacturers makes it one of the more active states for this role at the senior level.
Which Michigan cities have the most senior product development manager jobs?
Grand Rapids, Ada, and Dearborn have the most senior product development manager openings in Michigan. Detroit and its surrounding suburbs drive the largest share of listings because of the region's dense network of automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and engineering consultancies, while Ann Arbor's research institutions and tech firms and Grand Rapids' manufacturing and consumer goods companies account for much of the remainder.
Are there remote senior product development manager jobs in Michigan?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since senior product development managers frequently collaborate with on-site engineering, manufacturing, and lab teams. About 33% of senior product development manager openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. Strategic planning, vendor coordination, and cross-functional program oversight are the functions most likely to be performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a senior product development manager in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through adjacent roles such as product engineer, program coordinator, or project manager within a Michigan manufacturing or consumer goods company. Large Michigan employers including Ford, General Motors, and Whirlpool run rotational engineering and operations development programs that place candidates without direct product management experience into structured development tracks. Building a portfolio of product launches, even from academic or internship projects, and pursuing a PDMA NPDP or PMP certification can accelerate the transition into a dedicated product development role.
Where can I find and apply to senior product development manager jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to senior product development manager jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly.
See All 9 Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Michigan
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